Warisan assemblyman Jaujan Sambakong said burning the Bajau Laut families’ homes was unacceptable and tarnished Malaysia’s image.

He said it was right for squatters and their illegally erected buildings in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park to be cleared out, but maintained that they should be treated in a more humane manner.

“The act of burning (the homes) after tearing them down is not our way. We need a better approach to handle these matters, even if they are not citizens,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Borneo.

“Demolishing squatter homes is justified, but burning them afterwards is not.”

Jaujan, who is also a Warisan vice-president, added that the Bajau Laut are nomadic people and they are protected by the United Nations’ human rights provisions.

Earlier, Borneo Komrad claimed there was an operation targeting Bajau Laut folk living on seven islands in Semporna, with one video showing several men pushing a dilapidated house until it collapsed.

The NGO claimed that the community was left with nothing as their homes and boats were set on fire, and they did not know where to go.

Reuters reported Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang as saying the men were unidentified, but were believed to be part of an enforcement task force.

Human rights group Pusat Komas called for answers over the matter, saying those responsible should be held accountable for the community’s forced displacement.

Jaujan said the Bajau Laut folk should be given boats out of respect for their tradition of living on water. This would keep them from building temporary shelters on the islands.

He proposed that the Sabah tourism ministry consider preserving the sea-based lifestyle of the Bajau Laut, most of whom are stateless, as a tourism asset.

“They can be trained as dive masters due to their remarkable ability to dive without equipment, offering a win-win situation for both the government and the Bajau Laut,” he said, adding that this could boost Sabah’s marine tourism.